Paradigm Shift

“When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.” - John 13:12-15 HCSB

“Welcome to _________ How may I serve you today?”
“Yes. I would like a grilled Chicken Club meal with a Lemonade to drink, with some BBQ Sauce for my fries. Thank you.”
“My pleasure...”

Service with a smile. A fast food restaurant that seems to get it right. The staff seeming to understand the importance of good service. Seeming to understand the importance of a smile and making the customer feel wanted, needed and accepted. Making the customer believe that it was a pleasure to serve us.

A major paradigm shift in that industry

And when compared to other fast food businesses in our area, this one stands out. So much so, that the competition is beginning to understand the need to have employees who get it and are either trying to hire away that restaurant’s employees (for they are already trained) or have begun to train up their own in the importance of quality service. The problem is, the good ones don’t stay around. They get it and move onward and upward.

Jesus had just wrapped a towel around his waist and washed His disciples’ feet (to the initial objection of some). Then got up and put his robe back on and asked His disciples if they got it. If they got what He just had done for them.

You see, If Jesus, who is Lord… who is Savior… who was around and part of the creation of the world… if He could humble himself, wrap himself in a towel and wash their filthy feet, then we as His followers, we as Believers of Jesus, should do the same. We should humble ourselves and wash the feet of those around us. Both literally and figuratively.

We should have the “How may I serve you...” mentality.

In other words, we should humble ourselves and see others above us. And treat them like they are our guests. Wherever we may be. Whenever it may be.

A major paradigm shift in the “it’s all about me” mindset of the world around us (us included).

It may be as simple as waiting to hold the door open for someone. Or mowing someone’s lawn who for one reason or another is unable to do it. Maybe it’s buying someone’s lunch who is in line behind you (paying forward) and doing random acts of kindness. Or, again, whatever may come to mind at the time, in the moment.

Really, all the “how may I serve you...” mentality is “Loving our neighbors as ourselves” and treating others as we would like to be treated... treating others as Jesus would treat them.

Ultimately, it’s serving Jesus as we serve those around us.

I wonder what the world might look like if we, for just one day asked, “How may I serve you today?”

Knowing that it’s “Our pleasure” to serve... For Him and His glory.

Paradigm shift indeed.

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem.